Fearing backlash and retaliation, and already very unpopular globally due to the Gaza war, Israel announced Friday it is shutting its embassies around the world, further telling citizens abroad to stay alert and not display Jewish or Israeli symbols in public places. 

The statements were published by the foreign ministry and picked up by Reuters, which detailed of the statements that "Israel would not be providing consular services and urged citizens to cooperate with local security services if faced with hostile activity."

"Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided," Israel's foreign ministry confirmed.